Underneath

We’ve never really
had it out, have we
About the way
your eyes track me
As I move cringingly
across the room?
I can feel you
Unpeeling my layers
Shredding them or
eating them away
In your haste to
get down to my skin.

You never quite could
get Underneath, could you?

What misshapen fortress
have you built
To keep my hate from
striking a bitter path
From my glare
to your devious heart?
Had you hoped
my memories would fade?
You stirred some spell -
ground-up wings
Of plume moths
placed in my dinner milk?

Well, I can recall.
I remember enough
to place the shudder
that crawls so stiffly
down my spine when
that unholy fire
sparks in your gaze.

~~~~~~~~AEW~~~~~~~~